Muay boran (Thai: มวยโบราณ, RTGS: muai boran, IPA:[mūɛj bōːrāːn], lit. "ancient boxing") is an umbrella term for the unarmed martial arts of Thailand prior to the introduction of modern equipment and rules in the 1930s. It is thus the direct ancestor of modern Muay Thai. Muay boran is not a single style but acts as an umbrella term for all traditional Siamese (Thai) styles of martial arts, such as Muay Chaiya, Muay Korat, Muay Tasao, and Muay Jerng. These ancient styles have their own unique guards, stance and striking techniques. Whereas Muay Thai is often called the "science of eight limbs", muay boran is said to make use of nawa awut which means "nine weapons", adding headbutts as ninth offensive in addition to the "eight limbs" of hands, legs, elbows and knees used in Muay Thai.

Contents

History and folklore

Hit by Knee

In the ancient empire of Siam "Thailand", each region had their own "regional unique style" of guard, stance, footwork and striking techniques, be they "Muay Jerng" of the north, "Muay Korat" of the NorthEast, "Muay Chaiya" of the south, etc. Their uniquely different ways of guards, stance, footwork, striking techniques and hand wraps (kard chuakคาดเชือก) clearly represent their own unique regional style. For example Muay Chaiya had low stances which always bend their knees and wrap their hands to their wrist, whereas Muay Korat originally used straighten legs stance and wrap their hand to elbow,due to their different ways to delivered and blocked strikes.These top notch fighters from every region of Siam were gathered to fight, later on their styles started to merge and blend together in the Rattanakosin Era. which Their empty-handed fighting system was variously referred to as pahuyuth (from the Sanskritbahuyuddha meaning unarmed combat), dhoi muay "ต่อย มวย" The teaching of muay was kept up largely by Buddhist monks who in former times also served as the community's educators.1

As well as continuing to function as a practical fighting technique for use in actual unarmed warfare, muay was also a combat sport in which the opponents fought in front of spectators who went to watch for entertainment. These contests were a popular form of entertainment among all social strata, and became an integral part of local festivals.

Although originally bare-knuckle, Siamese boxers at some point began binding their fists and forearms in hemp rope. This type of match was called muay kaad cheuk (คาดเชือก). Many believe that, if both agreed beforehand, boxers would glue glass shards or broken shells on their hemp gloves to ensure a bloody event, but this is debatable. It is generally concurred that if this practice ever existed, it was definitely not common. Some have suggested that fighters would only apply glass to their gloves during war but not in regular matches.1

Muay gradually became a possible means of personal advancement as the nobility increasingly esteemed skillful practitioners of the art and invited selected fighters to come to live in the royal palace to teach the soldiers, princes or the king's personal guards. This "royal muay" was called muay luang (มวยหลวง). Some time during the Ayutthaya period, a platoon of royal guards was established, whose duty was to protect king and the country. They were known as Krom Nak Muay (Muay Fighters' Regiment). The royal patronage of muay continued during the reign of Khun Luang Sorasak, better known as Phra Chao Seua meaning Tiger King. Records state that he was so dedicated to muay that he would disguise himself in order to compete at temple fairs.

Divergence and decline

The ascension of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the throne in 1868 ushered in a golden age not only for muay but for all of Thailand. Muay progressed greatly during the reign of Rama V as a direct result of the king's personal interest in the art. The country was at peace and muay functioned as a means of physical exercise, self-defense, recreation and personal advancement. At least four regional styles of the art were already in existence at the time. These were Muay Thasao from the north, Muay Khorat from the east or northeast, Muay Lopburi from the central area and Muay Chaiya from the south. There is a phrase which demonstrates the different characteristics of each style: "punch Korat, wit Lopburi, posture Chaiya, faster Thasao" (หมัดหนักโคราช ฉลาดลพบุรี ท่าดีไชยา เร็วกว่าท่าเสา).

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the modern boxing ring was introduced and codified rules were put into place. These included the rules that the fighters should wear western gloves and cotton coverlets over their feet and ankles. Many of the old techniques were either banned or became impractical for the new type of matches. Around this time the term Muay Thai became commonly used for the new style while the older form was referred to as muay boran or ancient boxing.

Traditionally, Muay Thai masters would teach the techniques of muay boran to advanced students but this is not often done today. Professional boxers consider it a waste of training time for them to learn techniques that they won't be able to use in competitions and tournaments. Even in Thailand it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a school willing to teach it; they prefer to focus on "modern" Muay Thai, as this is more easily exploitable as a form of income. A number of styles and techniques have been lost. Muay boran was not well known in the West until it was featured in the 2003 Thai filmOng Bak starring Tony Jaa. Some schools nowadays take advantage of the art's popularity by selling Muay Thai under the name of muay boran.

Techniques

The basic Muay Boran fighting stances differed from region to region. For example, Muay Korat would normally have a straight-legged stance, whereas Muay Chaiya's stance is very much lower. Muay Korat concentrated more in delivering heavy punches called "หมัดเหวี่ยงควาย" (mud weang kwai) meaning "the buffalo swing" and heavy kicks, but without much use of elbows or knees, while Muay Chaiya and Muay Jerng used more elbow and knee techniques. Also, the techniques they used to deliver kicks are very much different from one another. It was not until the Rattanakosin era that each regional style started to blend into a system of Muay Thai by "Grom Thanai Luarg"(กรมทนายเลือก) and finally by "Grom PalaSuksa"(กรมพละศึกษา)

Rules

The old rules of muay boran simply consisted of a ban on hitting the groin, eye-gouging, hitting a fallen opponent, grappling or hair-pulling.1 Weight classes did not exist and there was no specially constructed ring. Instead, matches took place in any open space surrounded by a rough circle of spectators. Rounds were timed by making a small hole into a coconut and placing it in water. When the coconut sank, a drum would be beaten to signal the end of a round.